Written by Cecilia Branson

Life as an Intern

This summer, I am virtually interning with Homeless Entrepreneur, an NGO headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. The primary objective of this organization is to combat homelessness in Europe through a range of initiatives, including the HELP program, which focuses on fostering independence through employment opportunities. 

I began my internship in early June, I assumed the role of a policy researcher. 

Over the past five weeks, my responsibilities have centered around the comprehensive EU report,  which encompasses 12 cities. Frankfurt, in particular, has been the focal point of my research, as I gather statistics and reports on homelessness. Collaborating with fellow interns (In-person and virtual), we are working on this report, which will ultimately be presented to the esteemed European Parliament. 

My internship has been both gratifying and empowering. I have actively engaged with professionals across Europe, including politicians, students, NGOs, and representatives from the European Commission. Establishing these connections will contribute to the European Union Report, supporting Homeless Entrepreneur's relentless pursuit of eradicating homelessness. 

New Skills I Acquired

Within the realm of my internship at Homeless Entrepreneur, I have had opportunities to amplify my research capabilities and make valuable connections. Part of this enriching experience has been my engagement in two skill courses offered by IBM SkillsBuild, "Professional Skills" and "Soft Skills for Work." Through these courses, I have embarked on profound personal and professional development. I have honed and expanded my skill set empowering me to navigate the professional world with confidence. The "Soft Skills for Work" course has enhanced my ability to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds even further.

For example, when I will conduct my interviews in the coming weeks. In successful completion of these courses, I received a certificate. I shared my certificate via Linkedln, which did not go unnoticed, as I even received a message of support from IBM on LinkedIn. 

As I reflect upon this experience so far, I am thankful that Homeless Entrepreneur has provided me with invaluable skills and opened doors to a vast network of professionals, this internship has truly been a push for personal and professional growth. 

RESEARCH ON FRANKFURT, GERMANY

In the course of three months, I researched homelessness in Frankfurt, Germany. The research has deepened my understanding but also the factors that are affecting homelessness in Frankfurt. My findings resulted in three factors; social housing has decreased, affordable housing costs have increased, and an escalating number of immigrants. 

In 2022, there were roughly 263,000 homeless people in Frankfurt, Statistiches Bundesamt (Destatis) reported 178,000 homeless people were accommodated. It's crucial to acknowledge that a considerable number of foreign nationals remained unaccommodated. The matter lies in the fact that in Germany, there are more migrants than non-migrants. The causes of why people are becoming homeless can range from separation/divorce, relocation, and conflicts in their living environments. 

The housing market has made it increasingly harder for individuals or families to find affordable housing. 

This prompts the question, "What avenues exist for those offering a helping hand? The city of Frankfurt has many organizations, restaurants, and municipalities setting out to help the homeless population. These avenues encompass a wide range of assistance from providing access to medical care, job training, housing, and counseling. 

As a policy research intern, I noticed a trend that these programs are oriented towards assistance rather than empowerment. While these services are beneficial it is also crucial to empower homeless people. The goal is not to have temporary or emergency accommodation, but instead, permanent housing and needs-based support. The winters are Germany are terribly cold and many end up dying on the streets. In Germany, the municipalities bare all the costs of providing assistance for the homeless and accommodating persons and families without housing. 

Homeless Entrepreneur has incorporated a program "Housing Empowerment Program" which is designed to provide housing access and rental support. Access to housing can seem impossible to some since it requires a steady job, income, and stability. Homeless Entrepreneur works with each individual to access housing and become active, working citizens again. The Homeless Entrepreneur program reduced administration costs, reduced stress for municipalities, and shortens the waiting list for homeless families, persons, and facilities, which are funded by the local administration. 

Empowerment forms a bridge to overcoming homelessness but cannot be done without assistance along the way.